Sunday, April 12, 2015

DIY Cardboard Building Blocks

I've been looking at these giant cardboard blocks for a while, but I just couldn't justify buying them when it seems like my recycling bin is always overflowing with boxes! So when I decided to take on the 60 Day Junk Play Challenge for shoe boxes I thought, why not make my own?

I recently reorganized my closet so I had a lot of empty shoe boxes ready to recycle. Instead of taking them to the bin I made them into cardboard building blocks that my kids absolutely love! Here's what you need to make your own:

I fell in love with this brick contact paper for our blocks, but you can use any contact paper that you like. There are tons of different patterns on Amazon or you can find a variety in your local home improvement or discount store.

Making the blocks is simple. Wrap your empty shoe boxes with the contact paper, just as if you were wrapping a gift. The contact paper is very forgiving, so if you get air bubbles you can remove and reposition it.

The paper will seal nicely to the box, but you will want to reinforce the ends with clear packing tape. Otherwise your kids may try to unwrap the block like a present!

That's it! So easy and inexpensive. My kids have had so much fun building with their new blocks.

We use our cardboard blocks as extension activities for a few of our favorite books. Check them out here!